Deathscapes

A Second Seizure

A Second Seizure

Records show that while in isolation Moises refused to take most doses of his new anti-seizure medication. The refusal forms that were filed do not indicate a reason for the refusal. Given that not taking the medication could lead to further seizures, it’s unclear why medical staff did not intervene to make sure Moises either took his medication or was prescribed a different one. This lapse, along with other failures, would prove fatal.

On September 19, shortly before 12:30 pm, an officer who was passing out lunch trays in Unit E was called over to Moises’ cell by an inmate assisting with lunch. The officer saw that Moises was having a seizure. He was lying rigid on his bed, shaking slightly and with his eyes rolled back. The officer immediately radioed for medical and officer assistance.

When the LPN arrived, Moises was still seizing slightly, with his eyes closed and his mouth drooling. She administered an ammonia inhalant and performed a sternal rub to help arouse Moises. After he regained some consciousness and was able to sit up, the LPN went to the medical unit to call the NP (an officer remained with Moises). The NP prescribed a new medication, Avitan, but it would not be available that day. At this point, the NP was not aware that Moises had not been taking his anti-seizure medication. She thus assumed that Keppra was not working.

After speaking to the NP, the LPN returned to Moises’ cell. He was more alert by this point. He could follow commands and stand up with help. A decision was made to move him to a cell in the lower tier of Unit E in order to facilitate 15 minute security checks. It’s not clear why Moises was not moved to the medical unit instead, where he could have been more continuously monitored. As he was descending the stairs to the new cell, Moises vomited and had to be carried the rest of the way. He had vomited twice before.

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Refusal of treatment form for September 17, 2016. Indicates that Moises refused to take Keppra.

HCDC incident report of officer who found Moises seizing. The officer was also interviewed by immigration officials as part of an ICE death review investigation (discussed later). The interview is not available but is referenced in the death review report.